AOC Criticizes Biden’s ‘Cruel Policy’ on Border Wall

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., on Thursday lashed out at President Joe Biden over the administration's decision to waive 26 laws in order to expedite the building of a barrier at the U.S.-Mexico border, calling for him to "reverse course."

"The Biden administration was not required to expand construction of the border wall - and they certainly were not required to wave several environmental laws to expedite the building," said Ocasio-Cortez in a statement. "The President needs to take responsibility for this decision and reverse course."

The self-described Democratic-Socialist went on to say that a wall "does nothing to deter people who are fleeing poverty and violence," calling the Biden move "cruel policy."

"Walls only serve to push migrants into more remote areas, increasing their chances of death," the New York lawmaker said.

News of the Biden administration installing further fencing and barriers in the Rio Grande Valley Sector broke Wednesday.

Biden said that the construction of the barriers and other work in the areas was appropriated by Congress in 2019, meaning he had no choice but to allow the project to go forward.

"There’s nothing under the law other than they have to use the money for what it was appropriated for," said Biden Thursday. "I can’t stop that."

He added that he believes border walls are ineffective.

Ocasio-Cortez joins a growing number of Democrats to criticize the move, including Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Fla., a member of Biden's 2024 presidential advisory board, and Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, a co-chair for Biden's reelection campaign.